CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The cicadas have been particularly loud since emerging this year, with residents in one South Carolina town calling the police because the bugs are so noisy.
But there's something else you might need to look out for when you hear a large group of cicadas singing from the tree. Urination.
Yes, you read that right. While Brood X cicadas can be annoying, some posts on social media claim these noisy insets can actually urinate at 10 feet per second.
THE QUESTION
Can Brood X cicadas pee 10 feet per second?
THE ANSWER:
Yes, Brood X cicadas can pee 10 feet per second.
OUR SOURCES
Flynn said the rumors are true.
"All cicadas have a unique ability that they can pee for great distances," Flynn said. "Most insects will just have droplets while cicadas will secrete a stream. And that stream can extend up to about 10 feet."
A study in the proceedings of the National Academy of Science found their larger body size allows them to expel larger fluid volumes than most insects.
The study also found adult cicadas have been reported to spray incoming intruders when disturbed. But what exactly is the fluid that's coming out of these bugs? Flynn said it's nothing harmful.
"It's basically sugar that's excreted that wasn't digested when they were feeding," Flynn said.
If you're looking to avoid a cicada rain, Flynn said you just have to stay away from any trees with hundreds of singing cicadas but what if that's not possible?
"Make sure you wear a hat or use an umbrella," Flynn said. "That will protect you."
If these noisy insects keep you up at night Flynn has some good news.
"Most of the periodical cicadas, which are the ones that are making all the noise, are going to be dying off around the first week in June," Flynn said. "In August, we have the dog day cicadas, which come out during August, and they'll start singing."
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